December 26, 2024
METROPOLIS’s Ultimate Winter Reading List
From democratic urbanism to the power of public art, 2024 offered a range of thought-provoking titles across art, architecture, and design. Graphic Classics (Phaidon) revisits iconic moments in the history of graphic design, while How Railways Will Fix the Future (Repeater) makes a bold case for trains as the cornerstone of urban renewal. Whether you’re drawn to the practical guidance of Designing Zero Carbon Buildings or the poetic reflections in Windows of Light, these books highlight the year’s diverse voices and critical ideas.
ART
This year’s art selections delve into the diverse intersections of creativity, from the evolution of graphic design to experimental approaches in education and community. Graphic Classics brings together an expansive collection of graphic design milestones, perfect for both inspiration and introspection. Contemporary Art Underground immerses readers in the undercurrents of today’s art movements, looking at the vast landscape of public art in New York City subways, meanwhile, The Farm at Black Mountain College, is a fascinating look at how agriculture and creativity were uniquely intertwined at this avant-garde institution.
Graphic Classics, Edited by Phaidon Editors
Phaidon, 2024, $89.95
A breathtaking visual anthology showcasing the evolution of graphic design and typography through iconic works from the last century.
Contemporary Art Underground: MTA Arts and Design New York, by Sandra Bloodworth and Cheryl Hageman
Monacelli, 2024, $60.00
Dive into a celebration of more than 100 major public art commissions throughout the New York transit system.
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The Farm at Black Mountain College, by Ananda Pellerin (Editor), David Silver (Contributor)
Atelier Éditions/Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center, 2024, $35.00
Explore the intersection of creativity and agriculture at one of the most experimental art colleges of the 20th century.
URBANISM
The following titles are all about imagining better futures for our cities. In How Railways Will Fix the Future, Gareth Dennis makes a compelling case for trains as a cornerstone of sustainable urban infrastructure. Then there’s The 15-Minute City, which rethinks urban planning to create more livable, connected neighborhoods. Lastly, Democracy and Urban Form takes an academic approach, examining the intricate relationships between urban design and democratic values.
How Railways Will Fix the Future: Rediscovering the Essential Brilliance of the Iron Road, by Gareth Dennis
Repeater, 2024, $28.00
Railway engineer and transport policy specialist Gareth Dennis shows why the railways are key to the fight for a better world for us all.
The 15-Minute City: A Solution to Saving Our Time and Our Planet, by by Carlos Moreno, Routledge, 2024, $35.99
Here, Carlos Moreno presents a transformative vision for urban planning, advocating for self-sufficient, walkable neighborhoods that prioritize accessibility, sustainability, and community well-being.
Democracy and Urban Form, by Richard Sennett, MIT Press, 2024, $50.00
A critical look at how urban design impacts democratic governance and civic engagement.
INTERIORS
Interior design titles of this year moves beyond aesthetics to address deeper societal and ecological questions. Sustainable Interior Design explores practical strategies for creating eco-conscious spaces. Interior Design is Not Decoration and Other Ideas offers a provocative reexamination of the discipline’s role in shaping environments. Finally, Assembly by Design provides a thought-provoking look into the collaborative nature of design, highlighting the importance of shared meaning in creating interior spaces.
Sustainable Interior Design by Chloe Bullock
Routledge, 2024, $39.95
An essential guide for creating eco-friendly interior spaces without sacrificing aesthetics.
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Interior Design is Not Decoration and Other Ideas by Stephanie Travis, Catherine Anderson, 2024, $35.00
Challenging misconceptions, this book elevates interior design as a vital, intellectual discipline.
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Assembly by Design: The United Nations and Its Global Interior, by Olga Touloumi, University of Minnesota Press, 2024, $35.00
A compelling examination of the role design plays in constructing community and meaning.
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ARCHITECTURE
This year’s architecture books take readers from iconic midcentury designs to post-war resilience. Atlas of Midcentury Masterpieces serves as an expansive guide to modernist architecture worldwide, making it a must-have for aficionados. Meanwhile, American Modern: Architecture; Community; Columbus, Indiana highlights a small Midwest town that became a beacon of architectural innovation. On a more somber note, Architecture After War captures the determination and creativity required to rebuild after conflict.
Atlas of Midcentury Masterpieces by Dominic Bradbury
Phaidon, 2024, $150.00
A visual celebration of midcentury modern architecture around the globe.
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American Modern: Architecture; Community; Columbus, Indiana, by Matt Shaw with photographs by Iwan Baan
Monacelli, 2024, $75.00
A deep dive into the architectural innovation of a small Midwest town with outsized Modernist influence.
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Architecture After War: A Reader, edited by Bohdan Kryzhanovsky
MACK Books, 2024, $20.00
This publication, co-published with Ukrainian platform CANactions, brings together wide-ranging essays on the subject of post-war reconstruction.
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CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY
Books tackling climate change in 2024 present both pragmatic strategies and bold visions. Creating the Regenerative School proposes a fresh blueprint for educational spaces, emphasizing sustainability at their core. The Equitably Resilient City focuses on integrating equity into climate-resilient urban planning. Designing Zero Carbon Buildings is a technical yet accessible guide for achieving net-zero emissions in construction.
Creating the Regenerative School by Alan Ford, Kate Mraw, and Betsy del Monte
Island Press, 2024, $50.00
A practical guide to rethinking education spaces for a regenerative future.
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The Equitably Resilient City: Solidarities and Struggles in the Face of Climate Crisis by by Zachary B. Lamb and Lawrence J. Vale
MIT Press, 2024, $45.00
Insights into designing cities that prioritize equity alongside climate resilience.
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Designing Zero Carbon Buildings: Embodied and Operational Emissions in Achieving True Zero by Ljubomir Jankovic
Routledge, 2024, $49.59
A comprehensive toolkit for achieving net-zero carbon emissions in the built environment.
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VIEWPOINTS
Offering sharp critiques and fresh perspectives, these books reflect the evolving conversations within architecture and design. Architecture’s Disability Problem exposes the field’s ableist tendencies, challenging professionals to do better. Margin and Text amplifies marginalized voices, creating a richer dialogue about inclusivity in design. Meanwhile, Lina Ghotmeh’s Windows of Light takes a more poetic approach, celebrating the interplay between light, space, and the human experience.
Architecture’s Disability Problem by Alex Liebermann
Routledge, 2024, $45.00
A vital critique of ableism in architectural practice and education.
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Margin and Text: Amplifying Diverse Voices in Architecture by Betsy West, Jose Gamez, and Kelly Carlson Reddig
Princeton Architectural Press, 2024, $35.00
A vibrant collection of essays and projects by underrepresented voices in architecture.
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Windows of Light by Lina Ghotmeh
Lars Müller Publishers, 2024, $60.00
A poetic exploration of windows as both functional elements and artistic expressions.
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